Liv hadn’t imagined the great Ted Mason could appear so vulnerable. When the news about Essie’s death eventually reached him, she could tell it would hit him hard. She pursed her lips at having to keep it from him.

“I’ll never meet anyone again with her spirit and impetuousness, not in my lifetime. If Essie’s part of your life, make sure you cherish and learn from her, not try to shape her, like I did,” he said. When he jerked his head away, he suddenly looked incredibly old.

“I have a couple more questions...” Liv said cautiously. “Did Essie ever buy you cuff links, shaped like bees?”

“No,” he said with weariness in his voice. “Next?”

Liv spoke hurriedly, sensing she was about to be ejected from the car. “Do you know what happened to Essie at the Constellation Prize after-party? I saw footage of you at the ceremony.”

Ted sniffed. “I was delighted she won. It was well deserved. I stood in line to shake her hand. We were pleasant to each other, and I left.”

“And that’s all?” Liv felt a slide of disappointment. She’d hoped he could tell her something more revelatory.

“I’m afraid so. Now, please give your address to my driver and we’ll take you home.”

Liv stared ahead. She told the driver where she lived and set her jaw. If she wanted to know more about Essie’s past it looked like she’d have to speak to others, too. Perhaps she could somehow track down Hank to see what he knew, or even the bearded blond man with the rose tattooed hand. She hoped Chloe wasn’t on their trails, too.

When the Rolls-Royce stopped outside her house, Liv saw a curtain twitching and a glimpse of Jake behind it.

“I’m sorry again for stealing your meeting,” Liv said, as she unfastened her seat belt.

Ted smiled tightly. “It’s exactly the kind of thing Essie would have done,” he said. “Don’t let anyone stifle your spirit, Liv. It’s a rare thing.”

There was something in his words that made Liv think of her dad. If he were still alive, he’d be a similar age to Ted. Perhaps she had squashed her spirit into a little box when he died. Now it was emerging the longer she worked on Essie’s manuscript and connected with Georgia. She held back the sting of tears as she reached out and slipped her hand into his. “Thank you.”

Ted looked taken aback before giving it a squeeze. “You’re more than welcome. Please pass on my well-wishes to Essie.”

Liv opened the car door before looking back over her shoulder. “One last question,” she said.

He let out a mock sigh. “Shoot,” he said.

“Do you ever send white roses to Essie?”

He shook his head. “I suspect she’d throw them away.”

“Do you know anyone else who might send them?”